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HONEY LOCUSTS (Gleditsia triacanthos) is a
deciduous tree native to eastern North America. It is mostly found in
the moist soil of river valleys ranging from southeastern South Dakota
to New Orleans and central Texas, and as far east as eastern
Massachusetts. Honey locusts can reach a height of 20–30 m (66–100 ft),
with fast growth, and are relatively short-lived; about 120 years, some
living up to 150. They are also prone to losing large branches in
windstorms. The leaves are pinnately compound on older trees but
bipinnately compound on vigorous young trees. The leaflets are 1.5–2.5
cm (smaller on bipinnate leaves) and bright green. They turn yellow in
the fall. Leafs out relatively late in spring. The strongly scented
cream-colored flowers appear in late spring, in clusters emerging from
the base of the leaf axils.The fruit of the Honey locust is a flat
legume (pod) that matures between September and October. The pods are
generally between 15–20 cm. The pulp on the insides of the pods is
edible, unlike the Black locust, which is toxic. The seeds are dispersed
by grazing herbivores such as cattle and horses, which eat the pod pulp
and excrete the seeds in droppings; the animal's digestive system
assists in breaking down the hard seed coat, making germination easier.
Honey locusts commonly have thorns 10–20 cm long growing out of the
branches; these may be single, or branched into several points, and
commonly form dense clusters. The thorns are fairly soft and green when
young, harden and turn red as they age, then fade to ash grey and turn
brittle when mature. These thorns are thought to have evolved to protect
the trees from browsing Pleistocene megafauna which may also have been
involved in seed dispersal.
Honey locust produces a high quality, durable wood that polishes well,
but the tree does not grow in sufficient numbers to support a bulk
industry. Its also used for posts and rails since it works with soil so
well and takes a long time to rot. However a niche market exists for
honey locust furniture. In the past, the hard thorns of the younger
trees have been used as nails. |
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